Firing head/perforating gun latching system and associated methods
US6435278B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 9, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 28, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/11855
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A latching system permits a firing head to be lowered into a wellbore and reliably coupled to a perforating gun previously lowered into the wellbore. In a disclosed embodiment thereof, the latching system includes a tubular collar associated with the firing head, and a stinger associated with the perforating gun. As the firing head approaches the previously lowered perforating gun, shearable studs projecting into the interior of the collar are received in external side surface J-slots formed on the stinger. The latching of the collar studs in the stinger J-slots permits the firing head/perforating gun connection to be verified simply by pulling up on and creating increased tension in the structure, such as a slick line, used to lower the firing head to the perforating gun. After the firing head is used to detonate the perforating gun, the spent firing head may be retrieved by pulling it uphole with sufficient force to shear its collar studs. Cooperating auxiliary attachment structures are formed on the firing head and perforating gun to facilitate their interconnection and simultaneous lowering into the wellbore if desired.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.